ID Requirements

Cross-Border Travel Identification Requirements

What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)?

Since 9/11/2001 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was working to enhance the level of security when entering the United States. As part of that work, the DHS implemented WHTI to facilitate entry for American citizens and legitimate foreign visitors, while strengthening U.S. border security by requiring standard identification requirements which enable the identity of a traveler to be confirmed quickly and reliably.

When crossing the Canada/U.S. Border, who is affected by WHTI?

In the past, American and Canadian citizens were exempt from the requirement of presenting passports to enter the United States. Effective June 1, 2009, both American and Canadian citizens are required to present a WHTI-compliant document for entry into the United States.